harlan coben is the author of 34 gripping novels, which have sold more than 75 million copies. Thanks to a 2018 deal with Netflix, 14 of these twisty tales, many of which feature ordinary people caught up in larger-than-life events, will be made into movies and TV shows.
Fast-paced and thought-provoking, Coben’s books are great summer reads. But if you’re looking to boost your reading list, the New Jersey author stopped by the third hour today to share some of his favorite book recommendations across categories, joining previous authors like Daniel Silva and Jasmine Guillory.
You are reading: Harlan coben recommended books
Find coben’s book recommendations in categories ranging from historical fiction to great books below, and read the beginning of your next book.
best mystery
“darkest daisy”, by alice feeney
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coben said that “if you like a novel with tons of delicious twists and turns”, then “alice feeney is an author you should know”. In the book, a family gathers for Nana’s 80th birthday in an old gothic house, the clock strikes midnight, Nana is found dead. “There are shades of Agatha Christie’s and then there weren’t, but not in the way you’d expect. My daughter was the first to recommend Feeney to me and I’m glad she did,” Coben said.
best novel
“tracy flick can’t win” by tom perrotta
In this sequel to the novel “Election,” Tom Perrotta revisits heroine Tracy Flick. The formerly ambitious high school student from the novel Choice of Hers (immortalized on screen by Reese Witherspoon) is now in her mid-40s and struggling as an assistant principal in this satirical yet authentic novel, Coben says.
best inspirational read
“write for life”, by anna quindlen
coben has made writing a career, but says writing also has healing powers. This new release from Anna Quindlen, whom Coben calls “one of our most thoughtful, wise and compassionate writers,” uses writing as a means of finding meaning in her life. “This is a call to arms to pick up a pen and improve the world. writing novices and experts alike will find it inspiring,” said coben.
best historical fiction
“the lioness”, by chris bohjalian
A Hollywood star and her entourage take a luxury safari in 1964 Tanzania that goes horribly wrong. “‘The Lioness’ is captivating and even terrifying,” Coben said, adding that Bohjalian, the author of “The Stewardess,” has “long been one of his favorite authors.”
what harlan coben is reading now
“crying in the bathroom”, by erika l. sanchez
“I’m trying to take my time with this rehearsal memory, digging into them one a night, but it’s a bit like trying not to finish the whole bowl of chips in one sitting,” Coben said of this essay. collection, which he describes as “raunchy, original, authentic, hilarious and heartbreaking”. Novelist Sánchez returns to her childhood in Chicago, where she was raised by Mexican immigrants.
best fiction
“the last white man”, by mohsin hamid
the author of “exit west” returns with a short and shocking novel, which reimagines kafka’s “metamorphosis” for the modern age. in the books, the characters’ skin tones are darker.
best non-fiction
“the end of hollywood: harvey weinstein and the culture of silence”, by ken auletta
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In 2018, the predatory behavior of producer Harvey Weinstein, long an open secret in Hollywood, became public thanks to a series of journalistic denunciations. Ken Auletta, who once profiled Weinstein, returns to tell the full story.
best children’s book
“the golden girls: good night, girls”, by samantha brooke & jen taylor
Dorothy, Blanche and Rose from the iconic 1980s sitcom become children’s book characters in this book that will amuse both parents and their children, if not more.
For more book recommendations, see:
- read with jenna jr.: see all 27 books on the children’s reading list
- r.l. stine on 30 years of ‘goosebumps’ and how she hardly ever wrote scary children’s books
- all picks from jenna bush hager’s book club
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